St Agnes island

 

The forecast was rain for the morning and then sunshine in the afternoon so I decided to get the boat to St Agnes Island. These are the boats that take you from one island to another. I am staying on St Mary's which is the largest of the Scilly Isles. Each morning, weather permitting, they leave the harbour at St Mary's at 10.15 and return about 4.30. I made sure I always had food and drink with me as places to get something are few and far between on the other islands as the summer season is now over.

I had not been to St Agnes before so I decided to have a look. On arrival a harbour seal was keeping an eye on us. I hadn't brought my camera with me to the Scillies so I just had my phone. OK for most things but not if you want a close up. 

By the time we reached the island the rain had stopped. The island was linked to another tiny island (Gugh) by a sandbar. I had no idea of the tide timetable so I didn't risk going over onto the other island in case I got stranded.

I loved the lichen on the walls and trees.

Cormorant drying its wings.

The clouds had vanished by lunchtime leaving clear blue skies.

I found a sheltered spot to sit and have lunch and listen to the waves rolling onto the shore.

I walked around the whole of the island's coastline, stopping every now and then to enjoy the sounds of the sea. I think if I wanted to escape life completely then this is the place to hide.

Tresco

 Today I am off to Tresco Island. This island is known for its tropical gardens and red squirrels.

After spending a couple of hours in the gardens I had enough time to walk around the rest of the island before the boat returned to take us back.

Tresco has some of the most beautiful beaches on the Scillies  but recent storms have left a lot of seaweed on them.

Many of the gravestones in this churchyard were covered with lichen.

St Martins

 

There are five inhabited Scilly islands. I'm staying on the largest, St Mary's.  Today I am visiting St Martin's Island. Boats go to the various islands each morning around 10 am and return around 4pm. Always dependent upon the weather. 

The islands are small enough to walk the complete coastline. St Martin's has beautiful sandy beaches.

Many of the beaches were covered with jelly fish this morning. 

The sun shone all day and it was even warm enough to sit on a beach and read for a couple of hours.

Arriving in the Scilly Isles

 

Flying to the Scilly Isles is not for everyone. It is a small aircraft - seating for 14.  Any slight winds and you feel the aircraft being buffeted around. I was sitting on the back row but could easily see the pilot and the aircraft controls.

The sun was shining and the islands looked beautiful.

I am staying in a studio flat for the week. Thought there was no bathroom at first. Just a strange wooden structure, which turned out to be a wet room. It wasn't obvious where the door to the bathroom was as all the panels were the same. Not easy, especially at night in the dark!

This was the view from the front of the property but unfortunately I am at the back.

However, I am just five minutes walk from a beach so it didn't take me long to find somewhere to relax and start my holiday.

A walk around Exeter

 Exeter  was already an established settlement when the Romans arrived and built a fortress here in AD50. Around AD120 Exeter was redeveloped by the Romans with walled defences. The city wall was first built around AD200 and much of it still stands.

This gatehouse was built by William the Conqueror soon after 1066 as part of the Norman castle of Rougemont.

 

Before the law courts were built in 1774 the castle was used for trials. It was here the Devon Witches were tried.

 

Surviving part of the medieval Exe bridge built about 1200. It looks from this photo that traffic actually uses it but that is the road that runs alongside it.

This is known as the House that Moved. This 15th century timber framed merchant's house was jacked up and moved on rollers from its original home to prevent its destruction during road widening.

This is the church of St Mary Steps. Dating from 1150 it is known for its clock.

The clock was made in 1619 and is called 'Matthew the Miller and his sons'.

Next to the church are these very steep steps. There is a handrail attached to the building to help you climb up.

In another part of the city not too far away is the Tudor House. It is thought that the house was built in 1660-too late for it to be called Tudor.

I was so pleased to have stopped over in Exeter on my way to the Scilly Isles. It is a city with a lot of history and much to see.